Reflective plastic coated trailer hitch ball

ABSTRACT

A trailer hitch ball encased in a molded reflective and friction reducing plastic covering to provide a quieter, longer wearing and more pleasing appearance.

United States Patent Colliau [54] REFLECTIVE PLASTIC COATED TRAILER HITCH BALL [72] Inventor: Frank Colliau, 7565 W. Huron River Drive, Dexter, Mich. 48130 [22] Filed: Sept. 17, 1969 [21] Appl. N0.: 858,648

[52] US. Cl ..280/511, 117/35 R, 117/132 CB, 161/4, 161/16, 161/217, 264/24, 287/90 R, 308/238 [51] Int. Cl ..B60d l/06, F16c 11/06, F16c 33/32 [58] Field of Search ..280/51 1; 308/238; 161/4, 7, 161/16, 217; 117/132 CB, 35 R, 35 S; 287/90 R; 264/21 [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,434,741 3/1969 Grant ..280/511 X 3,473,826 10/1969 Elliot et a1 ..280/511 X 3,549,173 12/1970 Stanfield .,280/51l X 3,567,504 3/1971 Hopkins et al. ...308/238 X 3,582,157 6/1971 Hammon' ..308/238 X 1451 Ju1y25, 1972 Papish ..308/238 3,542,400 11/1970 Mason 3,552,815 1/1971 Keller ..308/238 3,574,429 4/1971 Reising ..308/238 2,241,365 5/1941 Meyer 161/4 X 2,297,182 9/1942 Weiss ..280/51 1 2,714,912 8/1955 Gonne11a.. 280/511 X 2,878,047 3/1959 Booth ..287/90 3,080,267 3/1963 Schmalz 161/190 X 3,225,123 12/1965 Wiswe11.... 264/21 X 3,436,101 4/1969 Hanson.... ..280/511 3,456,043 7/1969 Emery ..264/21 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 757,582 9/1956 Great Britain Primary Exuminer-Haro1d Ansher Attorney-Farley, Forster and Farley [5 7] ABSTRACT A trailer hitch ball encased in a molded reflective and friction reducing plastic covering to provide a quieter, longer wearing and more pleasing appearance.

3 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure Hill A} PATENTED L m2 3.679.234

lllll! INVENTOR BY FRANK COLLMU 6am v 5 AT TO R N I Y BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The trailer hitch ball is permanently covered with a molded rigid plastic that has a relatively friction-free surface but bonds well with the steel ball. The plastic utilized has a sufficient compressive strength and low co-efiicient of friction to provide a quieter and longer lasting ball that remains sightly. A reflective filler is used in the plastic to provide a bright glow when a following vehicle's headlights light up the ball.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The FIGURE is a side elevation of a coated trailer hitch ball partially cut away to indicate the plastic coating.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A trailer hitch ball 10 is shown in the figure and includes a threaded stub ll, nut l2 and lock washer 13 for attachment to a trailer hitch. As shown the plastic coating 14 covers the ball and upper portion of the shoulder 15. Although various low friction plastics such as tetrafluoroethylene may be used. the most satisfactory plastic that meets the compressive strength. low friction and colorability requirements is (ABS) acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. The plastic coating is applied by pressure molding in a die with the plastic containing a reflective pigment as a filler.

lclaim:

l. A trailer hitch ball characterized by a low friction rigid plastic coating pressure molded about at least the ball portion for tight adherence thereto and of sufficient compressive strength to provide a quieter and longer lasting ball that remains sightly.

2. The trailer hitch ball of claim I wherein said plastic is substantially acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

3. The trailer hitch ball of claim I wherein said plastic coating includes a reflective coloring as a filler.

* I i I 

1. A trailer hitch ball characterized by a low friction rigid plastic coating pressure molded about at least the ball portion for tight adherence thereto and of sufficient compressive strength to provide a quieter and longer lasting ball that remains sightly.
 2. The trailer hitch ball of claim 1 wherein said plastic is substantially acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.
 3. The trailer hitch ball of claim 1 wherein said plastic coating includes a reflective coloring as a filler. 